[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 79 (Tuesday, June 8, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1065]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING AMBASSADOR C.J. CHEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER T. KING

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 8, 2004

  Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I rise and join my 
colleagues in honoring a unique man and a graceful diplomat.
  After 4 years of exemplary service as the head representative of the 
Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), the quasi-
embassy of the Republic of China (ROC), Ambassador C.J. Chen is 
returning to Taiwan. In fact, since joining his country's foreign 
service 37 years ago, Ambassador Chen has continuously been involved 
with U.S.-Taiwan relations in his many job assignments both in Taiwan 
and in the United States.
  In 1979 when the United States severed diplomatic relations with 
Taipei and recognized Beijing, Ambassador Chen was then working in 
Taiwan's embassy in Washington. He spent days and nights negotiating 
and communicating with U.S. government officials and lawmakers in 
helping draft the Taiwan Relations Act (P.L. 96-8). Signed into law on 
April 10, 1979, this important legislation has enabled Taiwan to grow 
both economically and politically during the last quarter century.
  In subsequent years, Ambassador Chen has played many key roles in 
Taiwan's foreign ministry. He has encouraged the U.S. to act as a 
balancer and facilitator in handling its relations with both Taiwan and 
the People's Republic of China (PROC). In addition, Ambassador Chen and 
other leaders in Taiwan have been successful in urging the U.S. to 
continue to provide Taiwan with military aid necessary for its self-
defense.
  During the last 4 years, Ambassador Chen has aimed to strengthen 
U.S.-Taiwan relations which are now at their highest point since 1979. 
While there have been no major changes in U.S. policy toward either 
side of the Taiwan strait recently, the U.S. stance toward Taiwan has 
improved significantly, largely due to Taiwan's democratic government.
  In addition to the Bush Administration's goodwill towards Taiwan, 
support on Capitol Hill continues to grow. Since the start of the 108th 
Congress, both the House and Senate have introduced and/or passed 
various resolutions relating to Taiwan including support for: (1) 
Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization (WHO); (2) A 
U.S.-Taiwan free trade agreement and; (3) Taiwan's security. Ambassador 
Chen has played a critical role in building support for each and every 
one of these resolutions.
  Mr. Speaker, while Ambassador Chen is indeed leaving Washington, I 
have no doubt that he will continue to contribute to the enhancement of 
U.S.-Taiwan relations in the future. I wish C.J. and his wife Yolanda 
all the best. They will be greatly missed here in Washington.

                          ____________________